As a guy I typically don’t like to read instructions. Which means I sometimes get it wrong and sometimes it takes longer to accomplish the project.

Bottom line: I needed the help the instructions provided.

But the greatest help we need comes from people. (Yes, I do believe our greatest help comes from God, but God Himself often provides help in the form of people).

The city of Cleveland just won their first championship in 52 years because Lebron James had help.

Let’s back up. Lebron had earlier played for Cleveland seven years with no help and no title.

So Lebron left and headed for Miami. Why? He was chasing a ring. A championship ring, and it was obvious that no help was coming to Cleveland. Miami already had a star player and Lebron invited another friend to join with him in Miami. Now there are three superstars in Miami, just the kind of help Lebron needed. Two championship titles soon followed.

But Lebron’s heart was always in Cleveland — he grew up in nearby Akron. However, when he left earlier there were a lot of hard feelings. People even burnt his jersey. When Lebron was gone, Cleveland was terrible. So terrible they were awarded high draft picks. And they used a number one pick in the draft to draft a star player, Kyrie Irving. (Note: When Lebron was at Cleveland, they were a decent team, which meant they never were awarded high draft picks, which mean Lebron never got the help he needed).

After two championships in Miami, Lebron headed back to Cleveland with one goal: bring the city a championship. He knew Kyrie Irving was already there. And he invited a couple more players to come with him. Why? He knew he needed help.

And let’s not forget that Lebron James is considered to be the best basketball player in the NBA….for the last ten years.

Even the best need help.

As a result, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Championship, and Lebron James was voted the Most Valuable Player of the series.

The best of the best needed help.

So where does that leave us?

In need of help.

In need of others.

In the Bible Moses had Aaron, David had his mighty men, and Jesus had his twelve disciples.

The best and the brightest realize their dreams need help.

Perhaps today the only thing standing between you and your dreams is help.

The NBA Finals has been everything a fan could ask for. We are now getting set for Game 7.

However, what intrigued me is how many fans left Game 6 early. Thousands left early and the end was one for the ages. Some said it ranks in the top two of all NBA playoff games.

The game was played in Miami although the San Antonio Spurs had a 3-2 lead in the series. That made the game a must win for Miami.

Late in the fourth quarter Miami was down and the trophy was being wheeled into position for the supposed Spurs victory.

But I must say that while I was sitting at home watching the game I never came close to turning the TV off. These type of games are just too exciting.

Now all of this made me think. As a fan you live for these games. So why did people bail on their vision on seeing a great game, which you had to see the end to experience the ultimate thrill?

Here are my quick takes. And by the way this applies to marriage, careers, and dreams in general.

Stress – The fans simply could not handle the stress. No vision will be realized without tons of stress.

Shallow – Shallow fans followed weak people out the door. Happens all the time. I have watched workers leave and go to another company only to want to come back weeks later. Things did not work out. It rarely does for weak people.

Soft – They wanted it to be easier. They would have preferred a blowout. I’m sure they blamed the refs for bad calls. It is always someone else’s fault.

Show – They came for the show. Actually the show came at the very end, but by that time they were outside the arena. (In Miami fans typically show up late for games which led Lebron James to do some pre-game dunk maneuvers to entice people to come early. Give them a show. No show, the fans don’t come or stay). The truth is life is often fairly mundane. But you have to stay in the game to have the chance to experience the show.

Scent – It did not smell like a win with two minutes to go. People buy Gain detergent simply because their clothes smell cleaner. They may not actually be cleaner, but they smell cleaner.

Selfishness – The focus was on themselves. At least the fans could get a jump on the traffic. But why not stay until the end? Because it was all about them.

Of course the fans could not get back in the game, but it was not their fault. It never is. They are the ones who bailed. Now that the show had finally arrived they pounded on the glass doors to get back inside. It was too late. They bailed on the vision for no good reason, and as a result they missed the very thing they came looking for in Game 6.

You may be on the verge of bailing on a dream, a marriage, a career, or a life long vision. Are you expecting it to come quick and easy?

Are you hanging around the right people?

Are you being realistic?

Remember, few look in the mirror and admit that they are the ones who bailed on the vision.